I am a proud daughter of immigrants and the first in my family to attend college. I grew up in the Inland Empire of Southern California and worked in mental health there for 8 years. I earned my BA in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), and my MSW from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. I am now finishing up my doctorate and will be an assistant professor at NYU Silver School of Social Work in the Fall of 2024.
My research focuses on improving mental health services for Latines with serious mental illness and finding ways to overcome obstacles to quality care. Drawing on my experience with diverse individuals and families dealing with serious mental illness, I aim to understand the needs of individuals and families navigating these experiences, involve service users in research, and create plans for mental health care that are more equitable and engaging for Latine communities. My research methods involve mixed methods and critical thinking, emphasizing community involvement and collaboration to address mental health disparities.
Featured Collaborators & Community
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Concepcion Barrio, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
University of Southern California, Suzanne Dwark-Peck School of Social Work
Mental health services research, the interaction of ethnicity & effective clinical practice
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Shaun Eack, PhD
PROFESSOR
University of Pittsburgh; School of Social Work; Department of Psychiatry
Psychosocial treatments to improve the care of people with schizophrenia and related disorders
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Victor Figuereo
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
University of Pittsburgh. School of Social Work
Latinx health and mental health disparities; Race, ethnicity, and racialization with Latinx populations
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Mercedes Hernandez, Ph.D., LCSW
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
The University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks School of Social Work
Serious mental illness; mental health disparities; first-episode psychosis; culturally competent evidenced-based treatment
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Nev Jones, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
Mental health service user perspectives on intervention and system design, quality improvement, implementation and evaluation
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Barton Palmer, PhD
PROFESSOR in RESIDENCE
University of California, San Diego, Department of Psychiatry
Loneliness & social isolation in older people with serious mental illnesses, positive mental health for aging persons, informed consent process
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Amy Pinkham, PhD
PROFESSOR
University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Mechanisms of social dysfunction in schizophrenia and related mental illnesses for improving outcomes
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Maria Santos, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
California State Univesity, San Bernardino, Department of Psychology
Mental health services for Latinos, psychosocial treatments, engagement of Latino clients in psychotherapy, therapeutic alliance
